Well-known member

FG is the United Ireland party. I'm a United Irelander. What some of the ignorant people posting here don't realise is that unionist people are Irish people too and the best way to achieve a United Ireland is by observing their rights, respecting their heritage and not blowing them up.

Active member

If they stated officially that they were against a united Ireland I wouldn't have anything more to do with them., but I dont have to worry about it because thas wont happen.

Some northerenrs think Fine Gael by their actions(or lack of) are a partitionist party who couldnt care a fig about the north. Its true that many in the south, not just FG get involved in local issues and forget about the north- the easy option. Personally in retrospect the saddest part of the whole thing, being a southerener, was the inaction or inability to do anything from 1922-1985. We were totally excluded, and we played the Realpolitik game because we had to. Taking over the north militarily was just not an option, and many would fear the economic consequences. Yet a really wicked apartheit state existed up there. What to do? Well we werent in power much but there is no doubt that we were inspired by Michael Collins and the principals of consent, which most parties now follow.Whatever form of free government we had, it would be the Government of the Irish Nation. All the other elements, old Unionists, Home Rulers, Devolutionists, would have to be allowed freedom and self- expression. The only way to build the nation solid and Irish is to effect these elements in a friendly national way---by attraction, not by compulsion, making them feel themselves welcomed into the Irish Nation, in which they can join and become absorbed, as long ago the Geraldines and the de Burgos became absorbed. (Path to Freedom)

I believe this inspired Garrett Fitzgerald's attitude(the son of a catholic and a northern protestant who both fought in the GPO in 1916). I see many others have followed in Collins's footsteps. It seems that they are the inevitable footsteps and it pleases me that Fine Gael were the first towards this realisation.

Earlier during those dark days of the 1950s,it was a Fine Gael led govt that chose to recognise the northern people by appointing republican Liam Kelly to Seanad. This is at a time when our people up there where practically forgotton, without hope. I also think that the enemies of FG have tried to make political capital out of our position by twisting it in a way so that it seems west brit- we are in league with the foreigner. I think that is without substance, extremely disingenuous and ultimately machievellian.

Member

Before anyone starts describing anyone else as ignorant here it would be better for them to ensure they knew what they were talking about themselves.

I am a former FFer yes - I left the party in 98. I still vote for them based on the fact that of all the parties likely to be in power in the 26 counties they are the ones most likely to promote a nationalist/republican agenda notwithstanding the fact that they have not been as upfront about it as I would have liked per meriwether's post.

For those lecturing on ignorance, given where we are at today in real terms my solution to achieving a UI which I have posted here at least 10 or so times in my 800 and odd posts would be as follows :

1. Unionist retain their British passports and citizenship in the same way nationalists have the right to citizenship here at the moment.
2. Unionists have the right to march on the 12th anywhere they want provided they have the agreement of the community through which they are marching.
3. Union Jacks be flown from civic buildings on the 12th of July.
4. Ulster Scots be added to the constitution as an official language.
5. I am sure there could be some arrangement arrived at where taxes could be paid to Westminster instead of Dublin if push came to shove.
6. in the context of a UI outside the commonwealth, the national anthem to be changed to something which appreciates and is inclusive of both traditions.
7. A change to the national flag at a push as well.

That is a damn sight more than nationalists in the 6 counties are afforded at the moment. I personally believe that in a UI we should seek to integrate the unionist culture and tradition in so far as possible into our own becuase as Fr Hank says they are Irish after all, even if they consider themselves Northern Irish or just British themselves.

Well-known member

Before anyone starts describing anyone else as ignorant here it would be better for them to ensure they knew what they were talking about themselves.

I am a former FFer yes - I left the party in 98. I still vote for them based on the fact that of all the parties likely to be in power in the 26 counties they are the ones most likely to promote a nationalist/republican agenda notwithstanding the fact that they have not been as upfront about it as I would have liked per meriwether's post.

For those lecturing on ignorance, given where we are at today in real terms my solution to achieving a UI which I have posted here at least 10 or so times in my 800 and odd posts would be as follows :

1. Unionist retain their British passports and citizenship in the same way nationalists have the right to citizenship here at the moment.
2. Unionists have the right to march on the 12th anywhere they want provided they have the agreement of the community through which they are marching.
3. Union Jacks be flown from civic buildings on the 12th of July.
4. Ulster Scots be added to the constitution as an official language.
5. I am sure there could be some arrangement arrived at where taxes could be paid to Westminster instead of Dublin if push came to shove.
6. in the context of a UI outside the commonwealth, the national anthem to be changed to something which appreciates and is inclusive of both traditions.
7. A change to the national flag at a push as well.

That is a damn sight more than nationalists in the 6 counties are afforded at the moment. I personally believe that in a UI we should seek to integrate the unionist culture and tradition in so far as possible into our own becuase as Fr Hank says they are Irish after all, even if they consider themselves Northern Irish or just British themselves.

Active member

I also think it would be a coup(certainly interesting) if a FG led government were to make some interesting proposals towards achieving a workable united Ireland. FF tend to suddenly become very aware of the north when they get into opposition and we need to be one step ahead.
(actually thats a bit cruel- I'll give Albert and Bertie(especially albert) some dues for the peace process while in govt).
The problem is that now with the agreement in place it will be very easy just to sit back and relax. We need to keep our eye on the ball if we get in. Be creative.
My two pence worth.